Okay folks, this is my last shot at this. so hang onto your cookies.
1) Cleveland - I have no doubt, none, that this will be a Qb. The question that keeps coming up is, which Qb. Most "experts" have Sam Darnold from USC as the sure fire top Qb in this draft. But here is what is funny, most feel that Josh Rosen is the most pro-ready to start. How can you be best Qb in draft...and not be pro-ready? - The pick here is Josh Allen Qb Wyoming, why? He has the highest ceiling of all the top Qbs. He has some of the best arm strength, and some of the best mobility. What attracts me is his size, and the fact cold weather won't effect him, and he will win games on his own.
2) N.Y. Giants - This to me comes down to what Cleveland does. By all reports the ONLY Qb the Giants are interested in is Sam Darnold. If Cleveland goes with Darnold, then you will see Barkley or trade here. With Cleveland doing the smart thing (IMO) this leaves Gettleman with a huge issue. Do you take the game changer with Barkley who will make Eli better, or do you plan for the future. I think the Giants are in on Eli, and want to give him a shot at it with some REAL tools. Choice here is Saquon Barkley Rb Penn State - they will have to address the O-line as well, but this kid will take a load off of Eli's back.
3) N.Y. Jets (trade with Indianapolis)- have to be doing the cha, cha, cha right now. They HAVE to have a Qb, and they MOVED to get a Qb, and 4 of the top 5 Qbs are on the board. This is a no brainer here, with Josh McCown to start and let him learn the pick is Sam Darnold Qb USC.
4) Cleveland - I am willing to bet that the Browns are really disappointed here. I firmly believe they thought the top 3 picks would be Qb with Giants drafting or trading for a Qb there at #2. But it didn't work out, and personally I think it is for the best. Here they address the defense and get the other bookend for the DE they took last year. The pick here is Bradley Chubb De NC State, this is not a need pick, but he is the best talent on the board and will make them a really scary team on defense.
5) Denver - Here we go, moral dilemma #2 - do you go Qb, and admit that Keenum is just a bridge, or do you go for some other key needs that are there? Denver needs OL help on the interior, they need Cb help with all the trades and FA losses. But they also need their Qb guru GM to set this franchise up for the long haul. I don't care what folks think, Keenum will be the next bust Qb, he was in the perfect system, thus storm last year, and got his $$$$. But he is not the correct choice. Pick here is Josh Rosen Qb UCLA. He is the most pro-ready to start, he will by mid-season or sooner take over, and make Denver look brilliant.
6) Buffalo(trade with Indianapolis, through N.Y.Jets) - Yup I am calling it again. Colts have a ton of holes, and for whatever reason, they have faith that Luck will return, but also have Brissett if he doesn't. Qb is not the need, and there is talent lower to hit what they need. Buffalo, for all its bluster has basically stated they want a QB of the future. They went and got McCarron to keep the spot warm, but will take the Qb for its future, and really fits what they are doing. The choice here is Baker Mayfield Qb Oklahoma. I do think the following teams will be talking to Indy - Buffalo, Arizona and Miami - but only Buffalo has the picks to make this work - 2 first rounders for Indy is too much for Arizona and Miami to match. My guess is, Buffalo will send the 2 first rounders this year and probably a 3rd rounder as well.
7) Tampa Bay - Dire need at Cb makes this an easy selection - Denzel Ward Cb Ohio State is the pick. I have this kid higher than Fitzpatrick due to him being a pro-ready Cb, while Fitzpatrick seems more a slot Db or Safety to me.
8) Chicago Bears - Nagy is an offensive minded HC. Bears had an atrocious OL last year. Bears went and got alot of help for the offense at Wr, but they HAVE to keep the kid upright. The pick here is Quenton Nelson OL Notre Dame. This will give some much needed help to both Trubisky and the run game.
9) San Francisco - The 49ers have to be thrilled here. They have major need on the defense and there is a plethora of talent here for them to take. Had Ward made it here, I think that would have been the pick. But with the loss at LB on this team, and with the look of Foster being a lost cause I think the bigger need and quite frankly the better talent is LB - the pick is Roquan Smith ILB Georgia. This kid will solidify the middle for the 9ers, and they can go defensive back in the 2nd round.
10) Oakland - Boy is Jon Gruden really regretting that coin toss right now. There is no doubt in my mind they would have loved to have had either Ward, Nelson or Smith with this pick. LB is still a dire need, as is DB. I am really torn here, between two guys, both I feel would help. But am going with what I feel is the biggest need, and best talent on board. Tremaine Edmunds Lb Virginia Tech is the pick, with the plan to go Cb later as the best option.
11) Miami - No Qb is worth taking here. I am a HUGE Lamar Jackson fan, but he is not worth this high a pick. A move down is probably preferred by Miami, but I don't think the talent really stands out here to make a move. The only team that may need to move up is Arizona to go Qb, but they can stay where they are at and do that IMO. No they need help, and OT is one key need. Going who I feel is the best OT here with Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame as the pick. They have to keep Tannehill on his feet, and give the running game some help.
12) Indianapolis(trade with Buffalo) - This to me is down to two players. One is a smaller school, the other is a need in the back field. Pick here is Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama - they have need at Cb and this kid will help them a ton.
13) Washington - Everywhere I read, DT is the key need on defense for the Redskins. There are two here that rate pretty high, but I am going with the one I think fits the need most. Vita Vea DT Washington is the pick. Kid is huge in the middle and gets great push on pass rush as well.
14) Green Bay - I am hearing a ton lately that they need help at Wr. And I understand that discussion, but I don't buy it. Key needs for this team are OL and DBs pure and simple. They need more depth on D- line as well, but they addressed that in FA. No if McGinchey or Nelson were here, OL would be the choice. But with both of them gone and all the top LBs gone, to me this has to be DB again. Jaire Alexander Cb Louisville makes the most sense here. He fills a major need, and won't seem like a panic signing like Wr would.
15) Arizona - Houston we have a problem. Top Qbs are gone, again, I am a Lamar Jackson fan, but not this high, he needs alot of work. If you don't go Qb, then you have to do one of two things - either go Wr or go OL. To me the greater need is Wr, other than Fitzpatrick they really don't have any decent Wrs. The top Wr is still on the board here, and I think Arizona will take him to help out Bradford. The pick has to be Calvin Ridley Wr Alabama, and they have to hope Rudolph or one of the other 2nd tier Qbs fall to them in the next round.
16) Baltimore - that collective groan you just heard was all the Ravens staff that was holding their breath in hopes that Ridley had fallen to them. But no such luck. I realize Baltimore has signed Crabtree, but that is not enough. The passing game was enemic last year, and part of that was due to lack of talent at the Wr and TE positions. Te could be an option, but the top Te's really don't rate this high a pick IMO. I think they go the local kid to learn from the vet - pick is D. J. Moore Wr Maryland. Kid is great inside or outside and will make this offense better.
1) Cleveland - I have no doubt, none, that this will be a Qb. The question that keeps coming up is, which Qb. Most "experts" have Sam Darnold from USC as the sure fire top Qb in this draft. But here is what is funny, most feel that Josh Rosen is the most pro-ready to start. How can you be best Qb in draft...and not be pro-ready? - The pick here is Josh Allen Qb Wyoming, why? He has the highest ceiling of all the top Qbs. He has some of the best arm strength, and some of the best mobility. What attracts me is his size, and the fact cold weather won't effect him, and he will win games on his own.
2) N.Y. Giants - This to me comes down to what Cleveland does. By all reports the ONLY Qb the Giants are interested in is Sam Darnold. If Cleveland goes with Darnold, then you will see Barkley or trade here. With Cleveland doing the smart thing (IMO) this leaves Gettleman with a huge issue. Do you take the game changer with Barkley who will make Eli better, or do you plan for the future. I think the Giants are in on Eli, and want to give him a shot at it with some REAL tools. Choice here is Saquon Barkley Rb Penn State - they will have to address the O-line as well, but this kid will take a load off of Eli's back.
3) N.Y. Jets (trade with Indianapolis)- have to be doing the cha, cha, cha right now. They HAVE to have a Qb, and they MOVED to get a Qb, and 4 of the top 5 Qbs are on the board. This is a no brainer here, with Josh McCown to start and let him learn the pick is Sam Darnold Qb USC.
4) Cleveland - I am willing to bet that the Browns are really disappointed here. I firmly believe they thought the top 3 picks would be Qb with Giants drafting or trading for a Qb there at #2. But it didn't work out, and personally I think it is for the best. Here they address the defense and get the other bookend for the DE they took last year. The pick here is Bradley Chubb De NC State, this is not a need pick, but he is the best talent on the board and will make them a really scary team on defense.
5) Denver - Here we go, moral dilemma #2 - do you go Qb, and admit that Keenum is just a bridge, or do you go for some other key needs that are there? Denver needs OL help on the interior, they need Cb help with all the trades and FA losses. But they also need their Qb guru GM to set this franchise up for the long haul. I don't care what folks think, Keenum will be the next bust Qb, he was in the perfect system, thus storm last year, and got his $$$$. But he is not the correct choice. Pick here is Josh Rosen Qb UCLA. He is the most pro-ready to start, he will by mid-season or sooner take over, and make Denver look brilliant.
6) Buffalo(trade with Indianapolis, through N.Y.Jets) - Yup I am calling it again. Colts have a ton of holes, and for whatever reason, they have faith that Luck will return, but also have Brissett if he doesn't. Qb is not the need, and there is talent lower to hit what they need. Buffalo, for all its bluster has basically stated they want a QB of the future. They went and got McCarron to keep the spot warm, but will take the Qb for its future, and really fits what they are doing. The choice here is Baker Mayfield Qb Oklahoma. I do think the following teams will be talking to Indy - Buffalo, Arizona and Miami - but only Buffalo has the picks to make this work - 2 first rounders for Indy is too much for Arizona and Miami to match. My guess is, Buffalo will send the 2 first rounders this year and probably a 3rd rounder as well.
7) Tampa Bay - Dire need at Cb makes this an easy selection - Denzel Ward Cb Ohio State is the pick. I have this kid higher than Fitzpatrick due to him being a pro-ready Cb, while Fitzpatrick seems more a slot Db or Safety to me.
8) Chicago Bears - Nagy is an offensive minded HC. Bears had an atrocious OL last year. Bears went and got alot of help for the offense at Wr, but they HAVE to keep the kid upright. The pick here is Quenton Nelson OL Notre Dame. This will give some much needed help to both Trubisky and the run game.
9) San Francisco - The 49ers have to be thrilled here. They have major need on the defense and there is a plethora of talent here for them to take. Had Ward made it here, I think that would have been the pick. But with the loss at LB on this team, and with the look of Foster being a lost cause I think the bigger need and quite frankly the better talent is LB - the pick is Roquan Smith ILB Georgia. This kid will solidify the middle for the 9ers, and they can go defensive back in the 2nd round.
10) Oakland - Boy is Jon Gruden really regretting that coin toss right now. There is no doubt in my mind they would have loved to have had either Ward, Nelson or Smith with this pick. LB is still a dire need, as is DB. I am really torn here, between two guys, both I feel would help. But am going with what I feel is the biggest need, and best talent on board. Tremaine Edmunds Lb Virginia Tech is the pick, with the plan to go Cb later as the best option.
11) Miami - No Qb is worth taking here. I am a HUGE Lamar Jackson fan, but he is not worth this high a pick. A move down is probably preferred by Miami, but I don't think the talent really stands out here to make a move. The only team that may need to move up is Arizona to go Qb, but they can stay where they are at and do that IMO. No they need help, and OT is one key need. Going who I feel is the best OT here with Mike McGlinchey OT Notre Dame as the pick. They have to keep Tannehill on his feet, and give the running game some help.
12) Indianapolis(trade with Buffalo) - This to me is down to two players. One is a smaller school, the other is a need in the back field. Pick here is Minkah Fitzpatrick DB Alabama - they have need at Cb and this kid will help them a ton.
13) Washington - Everywhere I read, DT is the key need on defense for the Redskins. There are two here that rate pretty high, but I am going with the one I think fits the need most. Vita Vea DT Washington is the pick. Kid is huge in the middle and gets great push on pass rush as well.
14) Green Bay - I am hearing a ton lately that they need help at Wr. And I understand that discussion, but I don't buy it. Key needs for this team are OL and DBs pure and simple. They need more depth on D- line as well, but they addressed that in FA. No if McGinchey or Nelson were here, OL would be the choice. But with both of them gone and all the top LBs gone, to me this has to be DB again. Jaire Alexander Cb Louisville makes the most sense here. He fills a major need, and won't seem like a panic signing like Wr would.
15) Arizona - Houston we have a problem. Top Qbs are gone, again, I am a Lamar Jackson fan, but not this high, he needs alot of work. If you don't go Qb, then you have to do one of two things - either go Wr or go OL. To me the greater need is Wr, other than Fitzpatrick they really don't have any decent Wrs. The top Wr is still on the board here, and I think Arizona will take him to help out Bradford. The pick has to be Calvin Ridley Wr Alabama, and they have to hope Rudolph or one of the other 2nd tier Qbs fall to them in the next round.
16) Baltimore - that collective groan you just heard was all the Ravens staff that was holding their breath in hopes that Ridley had fallen to them. But no such luck. I realize Baltimore has signed Crabtree, but that is not enough. The passing game was enemic last year, and part of that was due to lack of talent at the Wr and TE positions. Te could be an option, but the top Te's really don't rate this high a pick IMO. I think they go the local kid to learn from the vet - pick is D. J. Moore Wr Maryland. Kid is great inside or outside and will make this offense better.